annual SPIRITUAL LIFE CONFERENCE

July 9-14

It is such a sweet time each year when our entire team gets together.

This is our team that we love so much!

These are all the kids on the team who make our team awesome!

These are all the 10-12-year-old boys that make our team loud (and a lot of fun too)

These are the high school boys that are growing up way too fast

This retreat was extra special because former team mates came back to help with childcare during the retreat.  We were all delighted to see this family again.  The below picture is with two returning team mate girls, along with Ginny and her best MK friend.

It's the one time a year we are pretty much guaranteed to get a family picture

It’s winter in Paraguay right now, but you would never know it from the incredibly wonderful weather we had.  We swam every day.

If I've learned one thing here in Paraguay, it is this: where there are boys, there is a soccer

 The MK band leading us in worship.  Man, I teared up big time at the last performance.  These boys have been blessing us with their music since they were little.  And now the band is breaking up due to college and home assignment.

Ginny playing a duet for special music

Teen guy session

 Teen girl session

 And this year’s retreat boasted the very first MK musical.  

Our team has been very blessed to have several new families arrive recently.  Often it seems that as soon as we say hello to someone, we must say good-bye to someone else.  At retreat, we always have a couple good-byes of team mates leaving for home assignment or leaving permanently. Good-byes are tough.  Good-byes never get easier.

Speaking of good-byes and tough things…Jeff and I did one of the hardest things we’ve ever done – commission Ryan into the next stage of his life. In front of our mission family Jeff and I shared…we both cried….and others shared over Ryan.  Jeff prayed over him and then Tom called our family up and prayed over our family.  It was a sweet, sappy and very special.

July 13-15, 2017

After we retreat we went back to the guest house and counted down the hours till we said good-bye to Ryan. His last days were just as he had hoped – surrounded by friends.

Makayla at 7 months (7-10-17)

Currently loving:
Crawling
Babbling....lots of babababa...and I am pretty sure I've heard a mamamam a couple of times
Fuitloops, crackers, and oatmeal
splashing in the bath
being tickled, especially under the chin

Currently not loving:
Having her first cold

9-14: Joshua had 4 wisdom teeth pulled.  He cheeks swelled up so much.